The Kansas City Chiefs retained several key members of their wide receiver room this offseason but failed to add new talent. General manager Brett Veach must invest in young, versatile pass catchers like underrated Florida Gators wide receiver Elijhah Badger in the 2025 NFL draft to add more dynamic options on offense.
Badger returned kicks for Arizona State in 2023, which provides him with a quick path to the field. He played the X, Z and slot roles in college, making him one of the more versatile receivers in the class. Badger’s 6'1 3/8", 200 lb. frame with 32 1/8" arms isn’t elite, but it meets all of the league’s thresholds.
Badger needs to diversify his release package. He uses a basic foot fire release to evade press coverage before quickly accelerating into his route. Badger’s speed stacks press man corners and threatens to overtake off-man coverage. He’s not an elite speedster, but his 4.43 40-yard dash and 1.53 ten-yard split qualify as well above average.
Still searching for day three WRs... Florida's Elijhah Badger is an interesting one. 6013, 200 and averaged 20.7 YPC.
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) March 24, 2025
The 4.43 speed is solid but I really like his hands, looks very natural catching it away from his frame (over shoulder tracking, back shoulder, concentration) pic.twitter.com/MKSbcs1G0A
Badger manipulates the defensive back’s leverage with his route stem before breaking into space and uses effective shoulder and head fakes. He doesn’t sink his hips much at the stem’s peak but decelerates quickly to separate on comebacks and curls. Badger doesn’t mind using his play strength to drive through corners and forcibly separate at the route’s peak.
Badger’s route precision must improve. He drifts through routes and generates inconsistent separation against press coverage. Badger relocates to find open space against zone coverage when the play begins to break down.
Badger tracks the ball well and only dropped two passes over the past two years. He extends to pluck the ball from the air. He’s a terrific weapon after the catch. Badger is an elusive athlete who uses his vision, jump cuts and sidesteps to make defenders miss and locate open space. He drives his legs through contact to break through arm tackles and finish plays falling forward.
Badger turned short passes into big gains at Arizona State and transformed into one of the country’s premier vertical threats at Florida. His diverse roles and effectiveness make him worth an early Day 3 selection.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: 2025 NFL draft scouting report: Florida Gators WR Elijhah Badger
